Coco flinches at his cold tone. “You’re still with her. And you don’t sleep with the same woman twice.”
Katt nods, like a trusty yes-woman.
“Oh,” Josh says. “I understand now. Well, allow me to set you straight, since you seem to be speaking from your own general experience. See, men don’t go for a second helping when the first was subpar. Barely even mediocre. Why waste the time and energy and effort—and money—on something so unsatisfactory?”
Coco looks like she’s about to faint.
He continues, “Now, apparently, we dated once? I really don’t remember. But you really should quit before you humiliate yourself any further. I never slept with you. I’m never going to sleep with you. I think we might’ve had a dinner together—and that’s all there’s ever going to be between us.”
She turns deathly pale. Katt glares at me like this public evisceration is all my fault.
“Look, Coco,” I begin, keeping my voice gentle. I actually feel a little bit sorry for her, even though she was nasty. “You don’t have to waste your energy cutting me down, hoping that it’ll make Josh choose you. He’s a human being with his own feelings and agency, and if he wanted to be with you, he would’ve committed already. There are other men out there. And someare for you, the kind of men who will cherish you and love you just the way you are.”
Coco’s face crumples. Her eyes flash with something like fury and hurt, but she doesn’t lash out. Katt is positively seething, monumentally angry that I’m not folding like she expected me to.
“And for my part…” I tighten my arm around his waist. “I have no desire to let this man go without a fight. No matter what anyone might say, as long as we both want each other, he’s mine, and I’m keeping him.”
Chapter Forty-Six
Ailee
As soon as I finish speaking, chimes ring in the lobby, and the lights flicker slowly a couple of times. The crowd starts to move toward the auditorium. Katt and Coco take advantage of the moment and slink away.
I let them, watching them dwindle with their tails tucked while my spine is straight and head held high. Power and strength seem to sizzle in my veins. I’ve never talked like that before, but it feelsso goodto just say what’s on my mind without worrying about someone else’s judgment or my place in life. Accepting that I’m entitled to want what I want is liberating. And powerful.
Josh loops his arm around me. “Jesus, that was hot,” he whispers into my ear.
My heart pounds harder, for reasons that have nothing to do with telling off Katt and Coco. “Did you like it?”
“Loved it. I’m hoping somebody recorded and uploaded it online so I can watch it over and over again.” He pulls me close and presses his cheek against mine, the gesture intimate and sweet. “In the interests of full disclosure, I’ll never stop wanting you.”
“Good. I was planning to chase you with a stick if you did.” The joke slips out easily, but instead of my usual worries pouring into my head, I just feel good. In control.
He laughs, then kisses me. The lights flicker again, three times now.
“Isn’t that a signal to get to our seats?” I ask.
He nods. “Alas, yes.”
He links our hands and leads me along until we reach a huge box. It’s luxuriously appointed with a cushy dark burgundy leather couch big enough for three. A few decorative pillows in white and gold are laid artistically, and a couple of armchairs sit on either side.
I rush inside and look around. From up here, I can see everything clearly, from the orchestra pit to the stage. A couple of gorgeous silver boxes on the small side table catch my eye. “What are those?”
“Opera glasses.”
“Nice! I read about them, but wasn’t sure about getting some.”
“Why not?”
“Well…we may not see any more operas.”
“So? You might have more fun with them.” He hands me a box. I open it and find a stunningly beautiful pair of silver-and-gold binoculars on a thin, elegant chain.
He sprawls in the middle of the couch, then grasps my arm and pulls me down with him. I fall onto his lap with a gasp. Something long, hard and thick prods at my butt.Oh, hello.
I turn to look at him better. His eyes glitter, reflecting the lights from the auditorium and the stage. Sweet pulsing starts against my clit, and I gasp, pleasure simmering in my blood.
“Am I being punished?” I murmur.
